ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCES 28th ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL GALA CELEBRATION – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26th AT HAYAT REGENCY O’HARE, ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS – “One Vision, Many Voices”
Reported by: Sadruddin Noorani
Chicago, IL – 2011 Asian American Coalition of Chicago celebrated 28th Annual Gala Dinner, “One Vision, Many Voices,” at Hyatt Regency, Rosemont, Illinois on Saturday, February 26, 2011 with great gusto, pomp and pageantry. This year’s function was hosted by Indian community of Chicagoland under Prem Lalvani, President AACC Board 2011 & Nadja Lalvani, The Gala Chair 2011. A large number of Ismaili leadership and guests attended the event and Ismaili Muslim youth volunteered at this event through the Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering (I-CERV).
Three Ismaili Youth received ILLINOIS most prestigious Award, each from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were recognized at this event for their academic achievements and community services.
(Mr) Zul Kapadia, 20, Sophomore, Northwestern University; Volunteer, Aga Khan Foundation’s Chicago Partnership Walk and Cub Scouts; Indian American Community Service Awardee;
(Ms) Serena M. Taj, 16, Junior, James B. Conant High School, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Bangladeshi American Community “Youth Who Excel Awardee;
(Ms) Zahra Fatima Lalani, 16, Senior, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, Illinois, Pakistani American Community “Youth Who Excel Awardee;
Every year a different Asian community takes turn playing host of the Annual Gala. This year it is the Indian American Community, which has thrice before (1987, 1995 and 2003) held the gavel for the Asian American community’s most important event of the year. Pakistan has hosted trice before the same Gala in 1992, 2000 and 2008.
Prominent Leaders, from the Jesse White (Secretary of State), Judy Baar- Topinka (State Comptroller); Ameya Pawar (Alderman Elect 47th Ward), Hon. Dan Rutherford (Illinois State Treasurer), Hon. Dorothy Brown (Cook county clerk), along with the Indian American community of Chicagoland, The Hon. Consul General of India in Chicago Mukta Tomar, The Hon Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago Zaheer Pervaiz Khan, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Media Partners present were Ravi Baichwal, Weekend Anchor/Reporter, ABC 7 News.
An event held on this grand of a scale only once a year, Asian American Coalitions’s Gala is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago’s Asian American community. According to the latest Census, the Asian American population in Illinois numbers approximately 586,934, of the statewide population, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures released February 15, 2011. This growth marks a 39% increase since 2000. There are 92,304 Asian Americans in DuPage County, making them now 10% of the County’s total population.
Numerous dignitaries attended the festivities, including the Asian consular corps, elected and appointed governmental officials, political candidates, top business and corporate leaders, decision-makers at Chicago’s major media press outlets, and everyone who considers himself or herself a mover and shaker in and around, or for, the Asian American national movement.
Social Hour started the evening followed by the lighting of the traditional Indian Lamp along with Diyas followed by the VFW Post 2388 Honor Guard posting the Colors and “A Traditional Auspicious Opening of the Event – With Diyas and Dhol Beats”. In Indian tradition, events must begin in an auspicious manner – with energy, drum beats, vibrant colors and costumes. No celebratory occasion is complete without the lighting up of diyas. The diyas signify the importance of light or knowledge and represent a whole circle of life – an epithet of goodness, virtuosity, harmony and truth. Tabla Dhol was provided Indian group for this year’s Opening.
This year’s cultural entertainment highlighted the feature, “Unity in Diversity: From Kathak to Bollywood, presented by the Asian American Coalition of Chicago 2011 Performing Artists and directed and choreographed by Gauri Jog, founder of the Indian Dance Company.
Secretary of State, Jesse White, State Comptroller, Judy Baar-Topinka and Alderman Elect 47th Ward, Ameya Pawar addressed the gathering and praised the AACC for their tremendous involvement with the Asian communities and the outstanding services being rendered to the community.
A Letter from Nikki Randhawa Haley, Governor South Carolina was read. Iowa senator Swati Dandekar was the keynote speaker.
This year’s cultural entertainment highlighted the theme: “Unity in Diversity from Kathak to Bollywood, presented by the Asian American Coalition of Chicago 2011 Performing Artists and directed and choreographed by Gauri Jog and included Jai Ho Kit, Unity in Diversity.
These glittering artistic renderings were following by Presentation of Youth Who Excel Awards, Community Service Awards;
Introduction of 2012 Host Thai community; Passing the Gavel and closing remarks.The event was attended by over 1000 people.
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